Seychelles partnership on the map

Abu Dhabi urban planners will help map out a design for the capital city of Seychelles, the latest collaboration between the two governments.

Abu Dhabi urban planners will help map out a design for the capital city of Seychelles, the latest collaboration between the two governments. Courtesy of Emirates Airlines

Abu Dhabi urban planners are to help the Seychelles design the exotic archipelago's capital city.

Tomorrow's exclusives tonight:

Industry Insights e-newsletter Stay ahead of the pack and get the pick of the premium Business content straight to your inbox. Sign up

The agreement is the latest collaboration between the capital and the Seychelles. The cooperation includes aviation and renewable energy.

Under the deal, a team from Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) will work with the Seychelles planning authority to develop a master plan for the city of Victoria on Mahé Island.

"With Abu Dhabi Urban Vision 2030 becoming a catalyst for how cities can be sustainable and better aesthetically developed, we are confident that today's agreement will further provide opportunities for both governments to establish sustainable developments for future generations to come," said Falah Mohamed Al Ahbabi, the general manager of the Abu Dhabi UPC.

Abu Dhabi and the Seychelles are redeveloping their cities under long-term plans.

Although parts of Abu Dhabi's 2030 vision have been reassessed since the global financial crisis, the overarching aim is still to ensure that the city's infrastructure will be able to cater to a growing population.

UPC officials will provide urban planning principles, architecture, development regulation and administrative support to the Seychelles government authority.

"These tools not only ensure orderly development in the country but guarantee safety and sustainability while the people of Seychelles continues to take pride to preserve its unique culture," said Joel Morgan, the minister of home affairs, environment, transport and energy in the Seychelles.

Helping to provide a boost to links between Abu Dhabi and the Seychelles, Etihad Airways in May announced plans to commence services next month to the Indian Ocean group of islands.

In January 2009, Masdar, Abu Dhabi's sustainable-energy company, announced an agreement to develop renewable energy in the Seychelles.

Like Abu Dhabi, the Seychelles is focusing on building its tourism industry. Last year, 176,088 tourists visited the Seychelles, including 9,929 from the Middle East.

The archipelago includes 115 islands featuring white-sand beaches and topaz waters, and is largely unspoilt by mass tourism thanks to its remote location near mainland Africa and the island of Madagascar.